DILG tells LGUs: Require CCTV for business permit 

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has urged all local government units to enact an ordinance requiring the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems in the issuance of business permits to establishments catering to a large number of customers.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, who chairs the national peace and order council, said that CCTVs are very helpful in crime prevention.

“CCTVs are applicable technologies that should be utilized to keep criminal activities and their perpetrators at bay,” said Año.

“Ngayon ang tamang panahon para i-require ang mga negosyo na mag-install ng CCTV. People are going out of their homes and in various establishments nowadays due to lower COVID-19 cases and a CCTV system is a powerful tool that can aid LGUs in ensuring public safety, deterring crimes, and identifying and apprehending culprits,” he added.

Año said that LGUs through their respective Sangguninan should act on this as it will be of a big help against crimes.

 “Kailangang pangunahan ito ng LGU partikular ng kanilang Sanggunian sapagkat malaki ang ambag nito [CCTVs] sa laban natin kontra kriminalidad,” Año said.

Among the establishments that should have CCTVs include financial establishments such as banks, pawnshops, money lenders, and money remittance services and the likes; business establishments with several branches and chains; shopping malls, shopping centers, supermarkets, wet markets; and, medical facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and laboratories.

LGUs are also expected to ensure that there are CCTVs in theaters, movie houses, perya, internet cafes, arcades, and other areas that draw a considerable number of customers; airports, public transportation terminals, parking lots and other similar establishments that cater to a large number of vehicles; car dealerships, gasoline stations, vehicle maintenance/service stations; and other similar business establishments.

 “Malaki po ang maitutulong ng business establishments sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan sa kanilang mga komunidad sa pamamagitan nang pag-prioritize sa installation ng CCTVs sa kanilang mga negosyo. We must work in synergy towards a more peaceful community,” Año said.

CCTV footage has always complemented the investigation of law enforcement units and have led to the resolution of many criminal cases and aided in the investigation of high-profile cases producing vital leads for police investigators.

 “We have already made significant strides in lowering the country’s crime rate in the last five years. It is imperative that we sustain this progress and enforce innovative policies that can further improve peace and order in our communities,” stresses Año.

In a related development, DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said CCTV cameras must meet the upgraded guidelines set by the national government and the DILG.

 “We encounter instances wherein audio or video quality makes it hard to discern offenders, which is why we are urging the LGUs to set up upgraded CCTVs for the peace of mind of our fellow Filipinos,” Malaya said. — FPL (FREEMAN)